We have been spending more time in Puglia recently in order to research and create new experiences in this special region. Exploring Puglia has been very exciting, and as part of this we have had lots of fun getting to know the people, the history and of course, the local cuisine. We wanted to share our favorite memorable experiences in Puglia to help inspire your own Italian travels, so here are our top five:
1. Getting to Know Polignano a Mare
Of all the Puglia experiences we have enjoyed so far, the time spent in the coastal town of Polignano a Mare is high on our list. Located a little south of Bari, not far from Monopoli, Polignano is absolutely delightful.
Long an important port and trade town, today Polignano a Mare is known for its charming old town and the crystal blue water of its beaches, welcoming visitors year-round but particularly in the summer. The main beach of Lama Monachile is the most famous, with a small pebble beach that curves down to the sea between two tall white cliffs, but there are many other small coves and places to swim too.
You could spend hours simply wandering the narrow streets, framed by whitewashed buildings that are distinctively Pugliese, with glimpses of the blue sea beyond. However, we loved spending time with a local who showed us around and helped us see the authentic Polignano. There is plenty to see here, with stores run by local artisans, multiple churches, the main piazza Aldo Moro and much more.
Exploring the town with a local guide showed us just how much there is to discover in Polignano. We had a wonderful time tasting traditional breads and cheeses, oil made from the local olive groves and learning about the different wine varieties. You can find out more about this experience here and how to add Polignano a Mare to your Puglia trip.
2. Learning About Puglia’s History
As we have talked about in our blog previously, Puglia has an extremely long and varied history. The Puglia region therefore is full of sites and places where you can get to know some of this history better. No matter which part of Puglia you are planning to visit, there are plenty of different experiences available for you to add to your itinerary.
We love the regional capital of Bari, whose natural harbor led to it becoming a crucial port in ancient times. Today you can wander the old town, visit the Basilica of St Nicholas, see a medieval castle as well as the ornate buildings added in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bari is one of those places where the layers of history are on full display, painting a fascinating picture of a busy city through the centuries.
Inland from Bari is another favorite of ours; the Valle d’Itria. This valley is covered in olive groves, vines and stone buildings with distinctive cone-shaped roofs known as trulli. These trulli houses are particular to this part of Puglia, and they are wonderful to see in person. We loved exploring the town of Alberobello, whose old town is almost entirely made of trulli, and getting to taste some of the wonderful local olive oil produced here.
Further south, another top choice for history lovers is the city of Lecce. Worth the road trip to get there, Lecce is a riot of Baroque architecture. Filled with churches, as well as remnants of the city’s more ancient past, one of the more moving experiences here for us was visiting the Jewish Museum. Located in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, this was a very special trip.
3. Tasting the Local Cuisine
It wouldn’t be Casa Mia if our Puglia experiences did not heavily feature the local food and drink.
Puglia is famous for its olive oil, and when you see how many olive trees there are all over the region, you will understand why. The hot summers and dry climate creates a delicious, well-balanced oil that goes well with everything from fresh seafood to burrata cheese (another local delicacy). Visiting an olive farm and tasting the olive oil is a lot of fun!
You can try some of the other local cheeses too, including caciocavallo and mozzarella. Puglia produces lots of cheeses, using sheep, goat and cow milk to make all sorts of different varieties, and there is nothing quite as good as trying these freshly made.
Accompanying your cheese and olive oil will be plenty of bread. Often made with durum wheat, the local breads here are delightfully chewy and flavorful – without being heavy at all. One particular bread you must try if you’re in Bari is the foccacia barese, a soft bread topped with olive oil, herbs and tomatoes, which is incredibly moreish.
While you can try lots of different things all over Puglia, we loved spending time in a smaller, traditional town beyond the regular tourist locations. Getting to know the local cheesemaker and seeing them at work, tasting the freshly baked bread from the local bakery and then enjoying a lunch out in the countryside was so memorable. Click here to find out more and see how you can have this experience for yourself.
4. Taking a Day Trip to Nearby Matera
East of Puglia is the region of Basilicata, where one of the most unique places you can visit is located – the city of Matera. The UNESCO World Heritage site almost feels fake when you first see it, with layers of buildings carved out from the stone and a labyrinth of paths and stairs connecting everything. Luckily for us, the city is real and as it is not a long journey, taking a day trip to Matera is absolutely one of our top Puglia experiences.
The journey time depends on your starting point, but Matera is well connected to Puglia by road. Bari is about an hour’s drive away, so there are plenty of tour buses and rental cars or private drivers that you can utilize.
When you reach Matera, it is crucial to have a local guide with you. The Sassi (old town areas) are much easier to navigate once you have been shown around on a guided tour, and they will help show you the important and interesting things to see as you explore. Check out this blog post where one of our guests talks more about their time with us in Matera, and you can plan your own Matera experience by clicking here too.
5. Enjoying Puglia’s Beautiful Beaches
Finally, in our top choices for Puglia experiences, we have to recommend going to the beaches here. When you visit Puglia you will find no end to the beach options available, no matter what part of the region you are staying in, but there are some that we especially like.
On the northern coast of Puglia is the Gargano National Park, which is much more of a locals place. The beaches here are mainly sandy beaches, and lovely places to relax, but they are quite far from the other parts of Puglia that we love visiting.
The absolute best beaches for us are those on the Salento peninsula, further south. You’ll find pristine coastlines, beautiful clear water and lots of fun coves and hidden beaches to discover. However, again these beaches are destinations in their own right, so if you want to combine sightseeing with some beach time, these are maybe not the best option.
We have spent a lot of time in different coastal areas around Puglia. Even though the beaches themselves aren’t as stunning, those along the coast around Monopoli and Polignano a Mare are still excellent. We loved taking a boat trip to see the sea caves around Polignano, and spending a day by the water here is a delightful break from sightseeing!
Let Us Help You Create Your Own Puglia Experiences
These are our favorite Puglia experiences, but we’d love to help you make your own special memories in this beautiful Italian region. Take a look at our current Puglia tours here for more ideas and inspiration, and then get in touch with us so that we can create your individual Puglia itinerary.
